On August 30, 2025, the City of Sendai and the Sendai Global Lounge hosted an event to promote entrepreneurship and startups among international students and foreign residents. 

This initiative was held in collaboration with Borderless House, which opened its first shared house in Sendai this February to create an inclusive and diverse community where locals and internationals can experience shared living and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Since opening in February, Borderless House Sendai Tohokudaigakumae1 has quickly become a hub for multicultural exchange in the region. Residents from around the world live side by side with Japanese locals, creating daily opportunities to practice languages, build friendships, and break down cultural barriers.

The collaboration with Sendai City highlights how shared living communities can extend beyond housing and play an active role in local ecosystems.

New Connections and Breaking the Ice

The event began with a casual ice-breaking session, allowing participants to connect and share their backgrounds. The event brought together a diverse group of people, including:

• ● Students from Tohoku University
• ● Local high school students eager to explore global perspectives
• ● Representatives from Sendai City Hall
• ● Tenants and staff members from Borderless House

This mix of participants created a vibrant environment where different generations, backgrounds and nationalities could meet and exchange ideas.

Spark of Inspiration - “What Drives Social Entrepreneurs to Take Action?”

The main lecture, “What Drives Social Entrepreneurs to Take Action,” was delivered by Mr. Masahiro Kochi from Borderless Japan Corporation, who is also active as the manager of Anosupo AI. 

Mr. Kochi shared his personal journey as an entrepreneur - what inspired him to launch his business, the challenges he faced, and the deeper motivations behind social entrepreneurship.

His insights offered valuable guidance for students and aspiring founders who wish to turn ideas into impactful projects.

One of the participants said, “It was inspiring to hear how your company transforms social challenges into opportunities for positive change, helping people find jobs and provide for their families.”

Snacks & Stories at Borderless House Sendai

Afterwards, everyone gathered at Borderless House Sendai Tohokudaigakumae1 for snacks and a relaxed networking session. 

This created a great opportunity for international participants, local residents, and representatives from Sendai City Hall to exchange ideas and experiences in a relaxed setting. 

Later in the evening, current residents of the Sendai house also joined in. For many of them, it was exciting to meet locals and city officials directly inside their own home. 

One resident commented, “It was amazing to welcome everyone into our home and showing them around the house. It was interesting talking with city officials and locals in our home sharing ideas and having casual conversations.” 

The residents’ participation added a warmth to the gathering - showing that Borderless House is not just a place to live, but also a bridge between people, cultures and the city itself. 

Strengthening Sendai’s Global Future

The event underscored the strong collaboration between Sendai City and Borderless House in building a welcoming environment for diverse communities.

It also opened doors for future initiatives, both global and local, designed to empower young entrepreneurs, encourage cultural exchange, and strengthen Sendai’s reputation as an international city.

With initiatives like this, Sendai is shaping a future where young people can dream globally and act locally. Borderless House looks forward to building more opportunities for exchange and entrepreneurship in the months ahead. 

If you would like to experience this kind of community in Sendai yourself, check out Borderless House Sendai and learn more about living together with locals and internationals.